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Penn State Executive Programs to offer new business program for architects

February 4, 2014

Penn State Executive Programs to offer new business program for architects

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Executive Programs, part of the Smeal College of Business, has been approved as an American Institute of Architects (AIA)/Continuing Education System Approved Provider and will deliver a new program — Business Acumen for Architects — this spring.

Business Acumen for Architects, slated to debut April 6 to 8 on Penn State’s University Park campus, will provide practicing architects who have managerial leadership roles with an opportunity to add value to their careers through deeper business knowledge while creating sustainable value for their firms.

Penn State Executive Programs’ Carlo Ninassi, associate professor of practice in strategy and innovation and also a licensed architect, led the program’s development.

“We recognize the needs of the architect from a business perspective, and we understand the business of architecture. Architects need more than just great design expertise to succeed in today’s business environment — they need sharp business acumen as well.”

-- Carlo Ninassi, associate professor of practice in strategy and innovation, Smeal College of Business

“We recognize the needs of the architect from a business perspective, and we understand the business of architecture,” said Ninassi. “Architects need more than just great design expertise to succeed in today’s business environment — they need sharp business acumen as well.”

Subject matter areas that will be covered in the Business Acumen for Architects program include current and future business models in architecture, leadership and communications, strategy and innovation, finance, and marketing and business development.

In addition to the face-to-face sessions, participants will also take part in a hands-on capstone session through the Business Charrette Studio or B-Studio.

“The B-Studio is based on the traditional design studio format, which is something all architects are familiar with. We modified the approach to deal with the business issues of the architecture industry,” said Ninassi. “In the B-Studio, participants will be able to capture and exchange business information in a familiar environment.”

About Penn State Executive ProgramsAs part of the Smeal College of Business, Penn State Executive Programs builds leadership and organizational capabilities to address pressing business challenges. Open-enrollment programs for executives are offered in areas such as strategy and leadership, supply chain management and finance. Penn State Executive Programs also partners with major multinational organizations to deliver customized learning solutions. Learn more at www.smeal.psu.edu/psep.